The Hockey Star’s Remorse

Evie
The last day. I felt the entirety of my life resting upon this pivotal moment. It was
do or die. And it felt like I was dying. I had given my entire soul to finding a worthy
client. And no one followed through. I watched the clock wind down. Ten minutes.
I had ten minutes to pull off a miracle.
But obviously, I had no such luck. I didn’t have Jasper's resources and money. All
I had was a Jellar report card and a piece of paper that said I could attempt being
a lawyer.
“Well, well,” Jasper sighs, popping his head over the cubicle wall. “It's too bad
about the internship, Evie. I almost thought you had it.”
“Shut up,” I growl.
“Don't say I didn't warn you, Evie,” he says, poking out his bottom lip. “I tried to
spare your feelings—"
“I can’t wait for someone to burst your little bubble,” I snap angrily. “Look at you
with daddy's money and daddy's contacts. You didn’t prove anything to anyone
here. I put in the hard work and I put in the time—"
His face darkened. “And look where that got you,” he says grimly. “Nothing but a
participation trophy and a pink slip. You're not anything special because you
worked harder. Honestly, Evie. You're the most naive girl I have ever met.”
1 did all I could to stop the hurt from making its way to my eyes. But I could feel it
tightening my throat. I stand up quietly, gathering my things.
I was just so tired of everything. I had plans. I was on track to be an amazing
attorney. I studied my life away for this, only to be held back by my own lack of
personability.
It was all meaningless. It felt like ever since that night, my life has been spinning
out of control and I don’t know how to stop it. This was exactly what I was afraid
of. All that hard work was wasted.
Maybe I shouldn't be so surprised. Nothing ever came easy for me. Coming out
of high school as valedictorian gave me a false sense of confidence. Everyone
had told me I was spectacular as a student. But being a great student didn’t
guarantee I'd be a great attorney.
I don't remember how I got home, only that when I did, Aria was at my door. She
leaned casually against the wall, arms folded.
“Hey, stranger,” she says mischeviously.
I took a deep breath, fighting the urge to flip out and lose control of my anger.
“Hey, Aria,” I say, forcing a smile to my face. “What's up?”
“You owe me for ditching me last night,” she grins. “There's a press conference
about to start on ESPN soon. I thought you could make it up to me.”
She holds out a plastic bag for me. “It's from the burger joint down the block,” she
offers.
I couldn't say no to a bit of comfort food right about now. “French fries?”
She nods. “Extra ranch.”
I moaned. “Fine,” I say, unlocking my door. “You're a mad woman.”
“Oh, you know you love me,” she snorts.
“Ugh. You know I do,” I whine. “I want that damn burger.”
Aria nudges my shoulder. “Open the door and you'll get your precious burger.”
I throw open the door and quickly plop down on the couch. I reach for the remote
and turn on the tv, searching for the channel. I find it smack dab in the middle of
a commercial break.
“Burger,” I order simply.
“Coming right up,” she answers, handing me the paper wrapped deliciousness.
Ripping open the wrapper, I take a bite, moaning at the comfort of the food.
“So,” she says, swallowing her own bite. “How was work?”
I glared over at her. Work was no longer my issue. It was over and I would have
to move on. “Pass,” I groan, taking another bite.
She let out a heavy sigh. “That bad, huh?”
“I'm just... over it,” I grumble. “I'm tired of worrying about it now.”
“Oh, thank god,” she says gratefully.
The commercials end and the commentators come back on screen.
“Welcome back, boy do we have a great show ahead for our viewers,” one says
excitedly. “We have our reporters down at Clayton Center tonight, looking to get
some insight into the Thunderbolt’s very own captain of the year, Timothy Hayes!”
“That's right, John,” the other commentator nods. “From the moment that kid
stepped onto NHL ice, he has been a powerhouse. I mean, right out the gate, he
comes in with fantastic speed and accuracy. It's no wonder he’s been leading this
Thunderbolt team to so many victories.”
“Absolutely,” he agrees. “We're heading in live to the press room to hear what
Mister Hayes has to say about the season.”
The camera jumps over to a room with a long table. At its center sat my number
one pick for who I'd like to see get slammed into a wall at the next match.
“Mister Hayes,” a reporter shouts. “Over here!”
Timothy smiles, nodding in the reporter's direction. “How are you, Jake?"
Jake laughs. “Doing good. I'm here with the Independent and I was curious on
how you feel your chances are at winning the Stanley this year,” he asks.
Timothy chuckles. “You already know what I think,” he began. “It's anybody's to
win at this point. It's early in the season, we still have a lot of games to play.”
“We already know what your publicist wants you to think,” the reporter added.
“Tell us what you really think.”
Timothy leans forward in his chair, bringing himself closer to the mic. “The cup is
coming home.”
Immediately, more hands fly up. Aria is squealing in giddy.
“He's just so hot,” she screams.
I had to fight to keep my burger down. “Yea,” I grumble. “So hot.”
Visit Novelxo.org to read full content.
More questions were asked. Every
answer he gave seemed like the
perfect answer to give from@ blblic
: hie
refatiordlstandpoint. It was hard to
not think about how perfect he
seemed to be at everything. It was
annoying. The content is on
Novelxo.org! Read the latest
chapter there!
It wasn't until a question perked my ears.
“Mister Hayes,” a woman says. “We all know you're a big hit with the female fans.
But do you have anyone special back home?”
For the first time this entire interview, he looked like a deer in the headlights.
“I=,” he swallowed. “I did have someone. Once.”
“Can you tell us a little bit about her?”
Visit Novelxo.org to read full content.
. «
He dropped his head. “Her name was
=] + «
Evie,” he finally answered. “She was
special because av 6nél
p = ery

)
previ, she didn't care how many
goals I got or how many state
championships I won. That was

+ »
never what defined my worth to her.
The content is on Novelxo.org!
Read the latest chapter there!
“Evie,” Aria says slowly. “What is happening?”
Truthfully, I didn’t know. I had no idea what this jerk was trying to pull right now. I
just blinked at the screen.
“Do you have anything you'd like to say to her,” the reporter asked again.
Visit Novelxo.org to read full content.
Timothy nods, finally looking back up

“ ) .
to the camera. “If you're watching
this, Evie, you Pp niall

i,
dele ou didn't
deserve to be put through all of that. I
was an ass. I think about the day you
returned my senior jersey all the time.
”

I should have fought for you.” The
content is on Novelxo.org! Read
the latest chapter there!
The breath was knocked from my lungs.
Countless people across the country watched the scene on TV.
“Evie,” Aria repeats, her voice quiet. “Did Timothy Hayes just say your..."